Greta Gerwig who has co-written and produced on various projects throughout her career finally goes all in, writing and directing her directorial debut Lady Bird,which screened last week as part of the 26th Philadelphia Film Festival and opens in Philadelphia November 17th. The film is a coming of age story of a young woman growing up in Sacramento, CA, the director’s hometown, that feels both autobiographical and deeply personal. This combined with a stunning turn by Saoirse Ronan who feels like she is channeling her inner Gerwig gives life to this unique and sharp-witted voice.
Set in 2003 the film chronicles Lady Bird’s senior year at an all girls’ Catholic high school. As you would probably expect, Christine McPherson (Saoirse Ronan) who chose the moniker Lady Bird for herself is a fiercely independent and quirky young woman trying to find her place, as a character she starts off feeling a bit too much like Rushmore’s Max Fischer. Luckily when Lady Bird joins the school’s theater troop the film veers off into a much more original narrative as Lady Bird looks for love and a way out of Sacramento after graduation. While we have seen this story before, it’s Gerwig’s approach and our eccentric protagonist that gives this worn out premise a new life. Saoirse is nothing less than a joy to watch as she navigates the minefield that is young adulthood.
Lady Bird is easily one of the best films of the year with its touching take on growing up and not being quite sure what or where you want to be. Gerwig’s debut solidifies herself as a force to be reckoned with a film that feels seasoned with its comedic chops, dialog, and situations. While at first, you feel like you might have Lady Bird figured out, just like its protagonist it continues to surprise you with its comedic and heartfelt narrative. While Gerwig is never on screen, if you’ve seen Frances Ha or Mistress America this almost feels like it could be part of that trilogy with its deeply personal themes, overarching archetypes, and locations. Lady Bird was easily my favorite of the Philadelphia Film Fest and definitely one of my favorite films of the year.

Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars